New Zealand Sea Lion Baby Boom Causes Chaos in Dunedin: Residents Asked to Adapt

Jan 9, 2024 at 12:13 AM Update: 3 hours ago

On the southern island of New Zealand, sea lions are increasingly making their mark on daily life. Due to a baby boom there are many more animals than usual. The New Zealanders are trying to adapt as best as possible.

In the city of Dunedin, people speak tongue-in-cheek about the chaos that the sea lions cause for the 135,000 residents, writes The Guardian. The animals appear in gardens, at golf courses, on beaches and along highways and driveways.

Many sea lion pups are born in December and January, which are the summer months in New Zealand. The sea lions are far from afraid of people. Two sea lions liked in the middle of a golf course with their pups. Another went next to participants swimming during a surfing competition.

Dunedin residents are asked to account to take care of the sea lions, especially the newborn ones. For example, people are asked to keep dogs on a leash and drive carefully on roads.

According to nature organizations, the sea lions are simply curious and not out to disrupt people’s lives. “It’s a coincidence that sea lion breeding season coincides with people’s summer vacation, but it creates chaos,” said biologist Jim Fyfe.

Although more sea lions are being born, the animal is still endangered. The number of sea lions on mainland New Zealand was close to zero for more than a century. They made a cautious return in the 1990s, and have seen a noticeable increase in recent years.

A sea lion in the driveway of a house in Dunedin. Photo: Giverny Forbes/Department of Conservation

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Beeld: Giverny Forbes/Department of Conservation

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2024-01-08 23:13:15
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